#GCAMysuru

Call for papers and speakers

Following are a few tentative topics for discussions at the conference.

  • The evolution of the concept of Ombudsman in different parts of the world and where are we with it now?  
  • Is there an urgent need for a strong ombudsman to restore the integrity and credibility of Indian media?
  • Ombudsman: The unique and torturous experience of Great Britain.
  • United States: The First Amendment and do those lofty ideals still hold good?  
  • Is media really reaping the benefits of Rights to Information (RTI) act and policies?
  • With the advent of new social media, is the old traditional media struggling to retain its identity and value?    
  • How was communication success measured before and what has changed now?    
  • Corporates investing more on digital social media as against conventional media channels. What’s the future?  
  • Is Right to Expression in Article 19 of the Constitution of India under threat or is it being grossly abused?  
  • Can social media and governments work together to bring out the best for its citizens? 
  • With rising corporate social responsibilities (CSR) of various organizations, can media bridge the gap of opportunities and resources?  
  • What are the new-found challenges faced by corporates in the era of digital media?  
  • With corporates owning or buying media houses, how credible is news now and does it pose a threat to future of democracy?  
  • The obnoxious growth of paid news... is there a way to end it?
  • Should the code of conduct for media be revised? 
  • Are corporates, victims of media politics. What’s true and what’s not? 
  • Has News Broadcasters Association failed to set stringent standards and enforce them among its members? 
  • Should Press Council of India (PCI) be expanded to include the functioning of the electronic media or should there be a separate body for electronic and digital media? What can we do to strengthen PCI? 
  • Journalists and opinion bloggers are killed for their stories and blogs around the world. How bad is the situation, globally?  
  • Best examples of whistle-blower protection across the world. 
  • University relations by multinational corporations are a hot cup of tea. Why?   
  • How can various individuals and organisations, make good and effective use of the strong Right to Information (RTI) provisions available in India?  
  • How can NGOs use digital-social media to reach masses and have an impacting awareness on various causes and projects?    
  • What’s the roadmap for Doordarshan and All India Radio in the new media era?    
  • Are governments justified in media regulation in the name of national security?  
  • Do governments feel bullied or cornered by aggressive media?  
  • Advertising is gone, public relations is back again big time. Yes?  
  • With the advent of social and digital media, is the credibility and relevance of traditional media at its lowest ebb?   
  • Changing global media scenarios across different geographies. What’s new and what’s gone?  
  • Lacunae in the Indian Whistle-blower Act and the need to rectify them.  
  • What are the perils of governments trying to control media around the world? 
  • What’s really threatening media freedom? Let us have the Indian and international perspectives.  
  • The pros and cons of the move to restrict access to the pornographic sites. How do other democracies around the world deal with pornographic sites, especially, child pornography?    
  • Ombudsman has no place in a true democracy. It simply does not work. Yes?  
  • With media houses taking political sides, neutrality being compromised and approach to issue under doubt, is it the last chance for media credibility in the eyes of public?


 Important dates and deadlines


  • 15 December 2015: Last date for abstract submission
  • 16 December 2015: GCA will send abstract receipt notification latest by this date
  • 20 December 2015: Last date for early-bird registrations
  • 15 January  2016: Last date for full-length paper submission
  • 26 January 2016:  Last date for all registrations ( No spot registrations!)


 Note: GCA will send formal invitations via e-mail, immediately against each registration received, in order to support the foreign participants to apply and obtain entry visa to India.  Please note that the process of applying for and obtaining visa in some countries may take longer time than expected. Hence, all foreign delegates are advised to register to the conference at the earliest and obtain visa in time, without delay.


 Paper submission guidelines


  •  A not-more-than 400-word abstract of the paper should be sent, as an e-mail attachment, to reach latest by  15 December, 2015.
  • The abstract should include research objectives (if any), methodology and significance, followed by keywords.
  • The abstracts will be refereed.
  • All scholarly methodologies and presentations are welcome.
  • Author’s name, organization/ institution, address, phone number, e-mail address, and a brief CV must be included on a separate page for consideration.
  • Acceptance of the abstracts will be notified latest by 16 December 2015.
  • Full papers of accepted abstracts will then have to be submitted latest by 15 January 2015. 


 Conference paper length and settings


  • The full-length paper should be around 4000-5000 words, 1.5 line spacing and Times New Roman 12-point size. Margins should be set at 1.0” on all sides.
  • ​Paper size should be set for standard 8.5”x11.0”.
  • The American Psychological Association (APA) style may be used for referencing. For APA details see https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01

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Contact for abstract submissions


  • Any abstract or paper related queries, speaker and panel discussion proposals should be directed to: The Conference Secretary, 11th GCA Conference, Mysuru at info@gcaconference.com
  • All return communications from GCA’s end will be directed towards the first author of the paper.

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